Couponing 101

My sister-in-law is amazing.  Not only is she an excellent cook, fashion expert, student, mother of two, and pastor's wife, she also is the sole being responsible for introducing me to couponing.  Now, I'd seen coupons before, I knew what they were, and I had even used one or two to save money on some groceries before.  And then there was Katina, in her shining glory, coupon notebook in hand, with stackable deals and email lists and ebates and swagbucks and it was like some other universe opened up before me.  So, for those curious, I will detail some of the simple things about couponing, with a promise to feature more on some of these things later. 

1. Open an email address just for coupon stuff.  This will keep you from getting 300 emails about deals in your regular email account. 

2. Get a notebook, preferably a 3-ring binder with a gazillion pouches.  You can stuff un-clipped coupons, expired coupons, scissors, restaurant deals, rewards cards, and used chewing gum in the gazillion pouches.  For the 3-ring binder bit, get a bunch of trading card holders and a set of dividers with labels. 

3. Make your labels and organize in a way that's best for how you shop.  You can make store coupon labels (rite aid, kmart, cvs, walgreens, target, family dollar) for stores that offer coupons only good at their store.  You can make sectional labels (baking, beauty, beverages, breads/chips, canned goods, cleaning/laundry, condiments, crackers/cookies, Dairy, Frozen, Health, Meat, office, paper/storage, pasta/rice.)  You can even make a restaurant tab if you eat out and get coupons for restaurants.  Organize them either in a way that reflects how you shop (in my store, we go through non-perishables first, then perishables, then freezer) or is alphabetical for you Type-A people. 

4. Sign up for those emails! 
A. Printable coupons:

www.coupons.com

www.smartsource.com

www.redplum.com

www.allyou.com

www.target.com

      (individual retailers who email coupons)

A.C.Moore

CVS

Dollar General

Kirkland's

Kmart- have rewards program w/Sears

JC Penny- have rewards program

Lifeway- get $5 off of $25 just for signing up

Michael's

Old Navy

Rite Aid

Toys R Us- have rewards program

B. Restaurant deals:  Some restaurants give you free stuff for signing up for their emails!  SWEET!!!!  Basically, if you eat somewhere, look them up.  I love getting free pastries and beverages from Panera Bread because I signed up for their rewards card. 

Applebee’s- Free dessert

Burger King- Kids club free meal to members

Chili’s- Free chips and queso

Cold Stone- Free Ice cream

Firehouse Subs – Free med sub

Golden Corral- Free meal

IHop- Free meal

Moe’s- Free stuff throughout the year

Outback- Free dessert

Starbucks- register a gift card get free drink

Sonic- Free stuff throughout the year

Zaxby’s- Free stuff throughout the year

C. But really, truly, my favorite website of them all is time2saveworkshops.com, because they send matchups and links to coupons and freebies to my email, as well as post them on Facebook (just "like" them).  I have gotten some cool deals because of those ladies, and I love their emphasis on giving and being courteous with your shopping.  Other cool websites include:  

www.swagbucks.com  (use their search bar, get points toward freebies.  450 swag bucks = $5 gift card to Amazon.com.  That's really one of the best deals, though there are tons of prizes)

www.ebates.com  (shop through them, get cash back, great for online Christmas/Birthday shoppers)

www.resturant.com  (Spend $2, get $25 gift certificate to select restaurants.) 

 D. Rewards programs (like aforementioned Panera Bread)

CVS- scan and get coupons when you walk in

Rite Aid

Walgreens

Food Lion

Bi-Lo

Ingles

Harris Teeter-can download coupons to card  (I'm not sure about this place, I think it's regional to NC)

Kroger--can download coupons to card (though it doesn't always work)

I'm sure this is enough to keep you all busy for a very long time, but later I'll post some more stuff, like how to get the most out of your coupons and some tips on how to keep from getting carried away and spending more than you save.  Anybody got some funny or awesome couponing stories?